Wind, rain, and cool temperatures are in the forecast for Sunday afternoon, but Powerhouse Pub has the perfect offering to keep your entertainment plans dry and out of the elements, with one of the region’s greatest blues artists taking the stage at the historic Folsom venue.
Renowned blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter Chris Cain is set to return to the stage for Sunday’s Powerhouse of Blues event. The artist, who recently released his latest album, Good Intentions Gone Bad, brings his signature sound and soulful performance starting at 3 p.m.
Cain offers up a soulful stew of Memphis-style electric blues, blending powerfully deep vocals with jazz-inspired, blues guitar riffs. His playing is unforgettable, uniquely his own, while still evoking the influences of the legendary B.B. King and Albert King. Raised on stories of his father’s childhood upbringing on Memphis’ historic Beale Street, Cain’s love for the blues began early. His first B.B. King concert experience at just three years old left an indelible mark, with blues music continuously playing in the background of his childhood. “I remember when I was a kid, my Dad would be mowing the lawn with the stereo blasting Muddy Waters. When I look back, that was pretty cool!” Cain recalls, emphasizing the constant presence of icons like Ray Charles, Freddie King, and of course, B.B. King.
Cain’s reputation as a master of the blues has only grown over his three-decade career. His skillful guitar work, coupled with his deep, soul-stirring vocals, has earned him praise from fans and fellow musicians alike. The legendary B.B. King once declared, “Now that boy can play the guitar,” a sentiment echoed by many of the blues world’s finest.
Often referred to as “one of the greatest guitarists you’ve never heard,” Cain burst onto the blues scene in 1987 with his award-winning debut album. His early days saw him sharing the stage with and trading licks alongside blues giants like Albert King and Albert Collins. Now, with 15 albums under his belt, his latest release, Good Intentions Gone Bad, marks yet another milestone in his remarkable career.
Cain’s most recent album, produced by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen (of Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) at the famed Greaseland USA studio in San Jose, features 13 original tracks that showcase Cain’s razor-sharp lyricism, inventive hooks, and powerful musicality. It’s a mix of humor, heartache, and soul, with standout tracks like the title song, the slow-burner “Waiting for the Sun to Rise,” and the Memphis soul-inspired “Thankful,” which features a duet with fellow bluesman Tommy Castro.
“This is the best album I’ve ever made, thanks to Kid,” Cain said of Good Intentions Gone Bad. With the addition of a swinging horn section on several tracks and Cain’s masterful guitar at the forefront, the album delivers top-tier performances from beginning to end.
Cain’s dynamic style draws inspiration from blues legends like B.B. King and Albert King, but his influences also span jazz greats like Grant Green and Wes Montgomery. Guitar icon Joe Bonamassa called Cain his “favorite blues player on the scene today,” praising his guitar skills and powerful voice. “He’s an absolute blinder of a guitarist, with the voice of B.B. King and the chops of Albert King,” Bonamassa said.
Fellow guitarist Robben Ford added, “Chris Cain is for real. He has the intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what he’s going to do next. Plus, he knows how to write songs you haven’t heard before.”
Cain’s previous album, Raisin’ Cain, released in 2021, earned him widespread acclaim and four nominations at the 2022 Blues Music Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Guitarist. Blues Rock Review hailed Cain as “a classic, sophisticated, soulful virtuoso” who effortlessly blends blues, jazz, funk, and soul.
Cain’s musical journey began at a young age when he taught himself to play guitar at eight years old, and by the time he was 18, he was already performing professionally. His formal studies at San Jose City College, where he taught jazz improvisation, further enriched his musical vocabulary. Over the next two decades, Cain mastered multiple instruments, including piano, bass guitar, clarinet, and saxophone. This fusion of his blues roots and jazz education helped shape the searing, distinctive guitar style that has brought him to the top ranks of the blues scene today.
With his most recent album, Cain is now reaching his largest audience yet, bringing his electrifying sound to fans old and new. According to Andersen, Cain’s musical prowess is unparalleled. “Ask any of your favorite guitar players who they think are the greatest living masters of the instrument—chances are, they will all have Chris Cain at the very top of their list,” he said.
Don’t miss this opportunity to witness one of the blues’ finest talents live in Folsom. Chris Cain will perform at Powerhouse Pub, located at 614 Sutter St., on Sunday, Sept. 8. The show starts at 3 p.m. Tickets and more information are available by calling (916) 355-8586 or visiting powerhousepub.com.
